Low lineage diversity and increased virulence of group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis.

Introduction. In some species, the population structure of pathogenic bacteria is clonal. However, the mechanisms that determine the predominance and persistence of specific bacterial lineages of group C Streptococcus remain poorly understood. In Brazil, a previous study revealed the predominance of two main lineages of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE).Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the virulence and fitness advantages that might explain the predominance of these SDSE lineages for a long period of time.Methodology. emm typing was determined by DNA sequencing. Adhesion and invasion tests were performed using human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-). Biofilm formation was tested on glass surfaces and the presence of virulence genes was assessed by PCR. Additionally, virulence was studied using Caenorhabditis elegans models and competitive fitness was analysed in murine models.Results. The predominant lineages A and B were mostly typed as emm stC839 and stC6979, respectively. Notably, these lineages exhibited a superior ability to adhere and invade airway cells. Furthermore, the dominant lineages were more prone to induce aversive olfactory learning and more likely to kill C. elegans. In the competitive fitness assays, they also showed increased adaptability. Consistent with the increased virulence observed in the ex vivo and in vivo models, the predominant lineages A and B showed a higher number of virulence-associated genes and a superior ability to accumulate biofilm.Conclusion. These results suggest strongly that this predominance did not occur randomly but rather was due to adaptive mechanisms that culminated in increased colonization and other bacterial properties that might confer increased bacteria-host adaptability to cause disease.

Emergence of polymyxin B-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro / Emergência de Acinetobacter baumannii resistente a polimixina B em hospitais do Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii has been considered a prevalent pathogen in hospitals, raising concern in the medical community due to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial resistance. Since it is a subject that arouses much interest, it has been increasingly studied. Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, the use of polymyxins was reestablished. The polymyxins have been considered the only option for the treatment of severe infections caused by MDR A. baumannii. Objective: To investigate the susceptibility profile of A. baumannii to polymyxin B. Material and method: 92 clinical isolates from two public hospitals in the Rio de Janeiro city were studied using broth microdilution method. Results: Most of the isolates were resistant to polymyxin B, 81.5% (n = 75), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged between 4-64 mcg/ml. Conclusion: These results are a concern since currently the polymyxins have been considered the most effective therapeutic option against MDR isolates of A. baumannii.

RESUMO Introdução: Acinetobacter baumannii tem sido considerado um patógeno prevalente nos hospitais, gerando preocupação na comunidade médica por conta de seu extenso espectro de resistência aos antimicrobianos. Por ser um assunto que desperta muito interesse, tem sido cada vez mais estudado. Devido à emergência de bactérias Gram-negativas resistentes a múltiplas drogas (MDR), o uso de polimixinas foi reestabelecido. As polimixinas têm sido consideradas a única opção para o tratamento de infecções graves causadas por A. baumannii MDR. Objetivo: Investigar o perfil de suscetibilidade de A. baumannii à polimixina B. Material e método: Foram estudados 92 isolados clínicos provenientes de dois hospitais da rede pública do município do Rio de Janeiro por meio da técnica de microdiluição em caldo. Resultados: A maioria dos isolados foi resistente à polimixina B, 81,5% (n = 75), apresentando valores de concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) entre 4-64 mcg/ml. Conclusão: Esses resultados são preocupantes, já que atualmente as polimixinas têm sido consideradas a opção terapêutica mais eficaz contra isolados de A. baumannii MDR.